AN: I don't normally like doing two chapters in one day. But this one was begging to be written and posted, and I had the time, so I hope you guys like it. It's the end of second year, and Harry has a small epiphany. Even though the last chapter was posted just hours ago, I've already had a ton of responses. Thanks to the readers, favoriters, and followers. Special thanks to reviewers Lady Eleanor Boleyn, serialkeller, RedFred13, Spring Raine, B00kw0rm92, Kairan1979, Tellur, Beloved Daughter, Jmw, Skylar of Gryffindor, Firenze Fox, Books are air, geetac, jadely31, JannaKalderash, MariusDarkwolf, and ElementKitsune. You guys are absolutely amazing!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter franchise.
The last week of school had flown by, much to Harry's disappointment. Penny, Percy, and Hermione had all aced exams. Harry thought he'd done rather well, and even Hermione had agreed. Harry knew that if Hermione had gotten his grades, she'd probably have a heart attack, but at least she knew that he'd studied and tried.
Lockhart's exams had gone rather strangely for all involved. The sixth years had to duel each other, with Flitwick looking on. The fourth years had to recite complex and dangerous spells to a stone faced Augusta Longbottom. The third years were to face off against dark creatures while Hagrid shouted "Don't hurt 'em!" from the sidelines. The second years cast simple defense spells on dummies in front of Andromeda, and the first years took a simple written test as Charity attempted to fix a muggle microwave.
When McGonagall realized they hadn't learned the appropriate curriculum, she chose not to let the Defense exams affect the total grade of the students. Harry had breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that, for he was certain that he hadn't learned a thing except that Lockhart's favorite color was lavender.
But now that exams were over, Harry had to go home. And it seemed that his friends had incredibly exciting plans, while Harry was just to be stuck at Privet Drive. The only person who was guaranteed to have a summer as miserable as Harry was Lee, who was to sit at home with his mother, aunts, cousins, and his grandmother as they moaned about how their men had done them wrong.
And when the time came to go home, all that Harry could do was climb up onto the Hogwarts Express and sit in a compartment. Because there were so many of them, Harry and his friends couldn't all sit in the same compartment. Percy and Penny went to the Prefect compartment and patrolled the train. Oliver, the twins, Lee, Angelina, and Alicia grabbed a compartment at the end of the train. Next door were Katie, Leann, and Cormac sitting with a group of third years. Across from there sat some first years who went silent every time Harry passed in front of them. And on the other side of them were the Gryffindor second years, squished together tightly.
"I wonder who McGonagall will get for Defense next year." Parvati bit into a chocolate frog.
"Hopefully someone who actually knows what they're doing," Seamus grumbled.
"After Quirrel and Lockhart? Not bloody likely," Ron snorted through a mouthful of every flavor beans.
"But they weren't hired by McGonagall," Hermione reminded them. "She might be able to find someone who knows what they're talking about. Someone who's got firsthand experience."
"Someone like that sounds boring." Lavender wrinkled her nose.
"Okay, so we want a guy-"
"Or a girl," Parvati interrupted.
"Or a girl," Dean conceded. "We want a guy or a girl who knows what they're doing, but isn't too uptight. They have to know how to have fun."
"And they can't get scared easily," Harry added.
"I don't want them to make us do bookwork." Ron devoured some pumpkin pasties.
"Well, we have to have some bookwork," Hermione said. "But a focus on practical application would be great."
"But what are the chances that someone exactly like that is gonna want to work at Hogwarts?" Neville wondered.
"What d'you mean?" Seamus scratched his head.
"We don't exactly have the best track record. I heard from one of the seventh years that the position is cursed, and that no one stays there for more than a year," Lavender whispered.
"That's just a myth, I'm sure," Hermione muttered, though she looked uneasy.
"Still, it can't just be coincidence," Ron insisted.
There was silence as the kids looked at each other uncomfortably. Dean quickly changed the subject.
"I signed up for another art program this summer. Should be fun." He waited for another comment, and when none came, he continued to talk. "What are you guys doing this summer?"
Lavender cleared her throat. "My dad has to live in London for the summer on business. I managed to get an internship at a fashion agency, and he agreed to let me stay with him so I could get there every day."
Hermione's eyes widened, impressed. "You got an internship?"
Lavender flushed. "Well, since I'm only thirteen, I can't actually do any fashion work. I'm mostly there to fetch tea and things like that. But I'm trying to do that thing you were talking about before, Hermione. Learning through observing, right?"
Hermione was clearly pleased. "You were listening!"
"Of course I was. Friends always listen to each other," Lavender declared firmly. "And we're all friends, aren't we?"
For the first time since Harry had met her, Lavender seemed slightly unsure of herself. It was more than a little jolting, and it surprised Harry to think that someone who always seemed so confident might not feel that way inside.
"I think we are," Neville said bravely. This had been one of the best years of his life. He had gotten real, true friends, who cared about him. They helped him, and stood by him. It made Neville feel better about himself.
"Well, that's settled," Parvati stated, giving them all an appraising look. "My family's going to India over the summer, to visit some relatives. It should be fun, because you're allowed to go on a magic carpet ride there."
Hermione sighed wistfully. "Oh, that would be wonderful! My parents are taking me on a tour of France. We're going to Paris, and Lyons, and Versailles, and we're supposed to see the countryside too."
"Gran won't let me go anywhere," Neville said glumly. "She says I might disturb the peace. I have to stay in my room and focus on my studies."
"What studies?" Hermione asked.
"Mostly just Wizarding history and customs. I have to learn about the Longbottom seat in the Wizengamot too. It's really boring."
"Me mam is takin' me to the far north part of Ireland. Says I need to learn something about patience and hard work." Seamus rolled his eyes. "D'you know how boring that is? I won't be able to do anything except talk to all the people around her old village. And everyone there is old." Seamus said the last word like it was a curse, giving a dramatic shudder for effect.
The compartment laughed, and Harry felt the warm feeling in his chest again. He pictured it as some sort of bright light, and he wondered if the others ever felt it too. Did it show on his face? Would it be so bad if it did? Harry couldn't help but imagine what would happen next year. Would they still be friends? Or would it be almost like starting all over again?
He surveyed them all. Lavender, who had looked like a girl who didn't care much for anything except clothes, was proving to be someone with ambition and drive, someone who wouldn't rest until she'd came and conquered. Parvati, who had previously just seemed like an extension of Lavender, now showed herself to be so much more. She was great at giving advice, and she never pushed for secrets.
Harry had lived in the same dorms with Seamus, Dean, and Neville for a year before thinking of looking at them as people. Seamus was quick tempered and typically spoke before he thought, but he was fiercely loyal to his friends. Dean, ever the mediator, tried to find a calm, cool headed solution to every problem that arose, but when he needed to, he fought for what he thought was right. Neville had been the meek and shy boy who couldn't seem to do the simplest of tasks, but he had become a boy who would do whatever it took to save his friends. He was still unsure of himself at times, but at least he knew that there were people always willing to help.
And Harry's friends weren't just regulated to second year. He had friends throughout Gryffindor. They came from all over the place, and none of them were the same. Even Fred and George had small differences that Harry could appreciate. They had different skills and strengths, but that wasn't why Harry was friends with them. He did it because…because they were great people who would help him in an instant without ever asking for anything in return.
It was something Harry had never experienced before, but he certainly wasn't complaining. At least, not until the train slowed to a stop at Platform 9 ¾ and Harry was forced to get off.
"I'll try and get Mum to let you visit," Ron told Harry at the platform.
"And we'll tell her when Ron forgets at the sight of food," The twins chorused.
"You have to write," Hermione said sternly.
"I will," He swore.
"Probably be better now that no one's gonna steal your mail," Cormac grinned.
"You heard about that?" Harry asked, surprised.
"Course. Katie told me. You better respond to my letters, Potter," Cormac said, faking anger.
Harry could only nod in shock.
"Well, Harry, I'm afraid this is where we depart," Lee said, slinging an arm around Harry's shoulder. "Two poor sods off to spend a dreary summer with their families. Not much fun, but misery loves company, so write me." With that, he took off towards a dark woman with a bored expression.
"Harry, I'm gonna be at Quidditch training camp for most of the summer, but you can still write, and I'll try and get back to you as soon as possible, 'kay?" Oliver clapped Harry on the back before departing.
Slowly, Harry's friends filtered out of the platform, with reminders that he had to write. Harry couldn't help but think that his hand would cramp up. Finally, it was just Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Just the way it started.
"I'm going to miss you guys," Hermione said tearfully, drawing the two into a hug. "You have to write. You have to. Even if it's a really short note and it's so sloppy that I can only read the signature. I don't care, I just want to know that you're both okay. And we can make plans to meet up in Diagon Alley towards the end of the summer, and everything will be absolutely fine-"
Ron cut off her babbling. "What she means is, if the Dursleys give you any trouble, just let us know and we'll come bust you out. So don't be afraid to tell us in a letter, and everything should go great. Have fun, and go annoy your cousin as much as possible."
Hermione gave a watery laugh before pulling away regretfully. "I have to go now. Mum and Dad told me that the plan to Paris is at seven tonight, so I have to change and then get ready for customs immediately. Just-just don't make me worry too much, alright?"
Harry nodded, watching her go with a heavy heart.
Ron sucked in a deep breath. "Hey, mate, I know I'm not really the best at talking about feelings and saying what I think of you but, you're a really great friend. And I mean it. I dunno what I would've done if I didn't have you here all the time. I guess I just don't really know what to say."
"It's okay," Harry told him. "I know what you mean."
Ron breathed a sigh of relief. "You do? That's good. Look, uh, just don't forget what I said earlier about the Dursleys. See you over the summer, Harry."
Harry grinned at his freckly friend before pushing his cart towards the barrier and finding Uncle Vernon waiting on the other side.
"Boy!" The beefy man barked at the sight of his most hated (and only!) nephew.
"Hello Uncle Vernon!" Harry called cheerily. "Did Dudley have a good year at Smeltings?"
"He probably learned a lot more than you did at that school of yours!" Uncle Vernon sneered.
"Probably," Harry agreed, thinking of Lockhart.
Uncle Vernon sputtered at Harry. "Get in the car boy, and don't let any of the neighbors see your…things," He snapped, gesturing to Hedwig and Harry's Nimbus 2000.
"Alright," Harry replied, for once feeling as though returning to the Dursleys might not be so bad after all. Harry was happy.
Reply to review made by Jmw:
Looking back now, 30 chapters for the second shortest book does seem a bit excessive, but I didn't really want to take any of those scenes out, so I'm happy with the general gist of it. I've actually thought of your suggestion before, but I'm afraid there are some problems with it, so I can't go with that plan, at least not yet. This story's only going up to fifth year, so I don't know about the World Cup, but I do think it would be an amazing piece. I did have a poll for pairings a while back, but I'm always willing to hear what you want. No guarantee that it will be put it, but I promise to consider it. And I wouldn't be too sure about Katie/Cormac. The ending is very, very far off, so you'll have to wait a while. Thanks for reviewing!